Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has strongly condemned what it described as “reprehensible attack” on Catholic priests and laity by “Hindutva extremists” in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh on March 31, 2025.
NPCC through its communications department said that the act of violence perpetrated against members of the Christian community, including the physical assault on Father Davis and Father George T, was an outright violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
The party expressed deep concern that religious pilgrims from Mandla parish, who were peacefully exercising their right to faith and worship, were subjected to harassment and violence.
NPCC said that the suspected involvement of Bajrang Dal activists in unlawfully detaining the pilgrims and priests not once, but twice, underscored the growing atmosphere of intolerance and religious extremism in the region.
Congress party appreciated the police intervention in securing the release of the victims. It has, however, urged the Madhya Pradesh government to take strict and immediate action against the perpetrators to ensure justice was served.
Further, NPCC also demanded concrete measures to safeguard the rights of religious minorities and prevent such incidents in the future.
NPCC affirmed solidarity with the Catholic community of Madhya Pradesh and called upon the state government to uphold the principles of secularism and democracy by taking decisive action against the forces attempting to disrupt communal harmony.
The party expressed hope that swift legal action would be taken to restore the faith of the people in the rule of law and the protection of minority rights.